Inundation of the Nile

The fruitfulness of Egypt is caused entirely by the annual overflowing of the Nile, known to the natives as Hapi Mu, "the genius of the waters." When the periodical rains of the tropics have swollen the water-source, and the reservoirs of the two lakes can contain no more, the stream begins to rise, and continues to swell for three months, from the middle of June until the middle of September. When July comes, the river has already overflowed its shores. In August, when it has nearly reached its highest point, about twenty-five feet above its normal height, the dams are opened, and the overflow of the stream is carried into the canals, with which human industry had, even in ancient times, intersected the country, that the water may be carried to distant localities. The Lower Nile for six hundred miles has scarcely a single tributary rivulet. At this time the country has the appearance of a lake, the towns and hilly spots appearing like so many islands.

Numerous boats are in use during the flood; and the whole population, festively adorned, celebrate the joyful time with delight. Egypt has been well called "the gift of the Nile."

When the tropical rains are over, the stream returns gradually to its proper level, leaving behind it everywhere, in the shape of slimy mud, the fertilizing soil it has swept down from the mountain regions. In October the land dries, seed is planted, and quickly the green shoots give the country the appearance of a garden.

The time of growth lasts until the end of February: in March the harvest is reaped.

Then follow three months of drought, during which the Nile is at its lowest level; and each year the life-giving stream begins its course anew in the month of June.

It is only very lately that full light has been thrown, by the expeditions of Speke and Baker, upon the true source of the Nile and the cause of its annual overflow. It is the efflux of two large lakes situated in a high table-land near the equator, called the Victoria Nyanza and the Albert Nyanza. The waters of both lakes rise during the rainy season above their banks, and, passing northward, finally unite to form the Nile.

The high-lying country on the Victoria Nyanza, whence the Nile obtains its chief tributaries, is one of the most picturesque and salubrious localities in the world, and must before long be opened to Western civilization and development.